Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Napadej Dhupatemiya was conferred Singapore’s prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military), by President Halimah Yacob. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to ACM Dhupatemiya at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning.

ACM Napadej was conferred the award for his significant contributions in strengthening the close and longstanding defence relationship between the RTAF and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). Under ACM Napadej’s leadership, the RTAF and RSAF resumed interactions at Exercise Cope Tiger following a two-year pause due to the pandemic. ACM Napadej also placed emphasis on strengthening the cooperation between the RTAF and RSAF through frequent professional and personal interactions. These interactions include regular cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges, and multilateral exercises which have yielded professional benefits and strengthened people-to-people ties between the two Air Forces.

ACM Napadej, who is in Singapore from 15 Aug to 17 Aug also reviewed a Guard of Honour at MINDEF and called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong.